Govt ignoring BJP MLAs in Mangaluru: Kamath

Mangaluru: Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath said that Dakshina Kannada has a guest district minister, who visits the district once in 2-3 months.Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Kamath said that district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao does not hold meetings of MLAs in connection with the development of Mangaluru city. The MLA accused the minister and Congress MLC Ivan D'Souza of scheduling spot inspections on Wednesday, for works that were sanctioned due to efforts made by him and former mayors of the BJP.
He said that the work to replace pipelines of the underground drains (UGD) from the wetwell of Kodialbail to the one at Kudroli, at an estimated cost of Rs 3.4 crore, received administrative approval because of the efforts of elected representatives from the BJP. Further, the MLA said that a new bridge across rajakaluve at Ballalbagh on MG Road in the city was planned to be built through the Smart City funds during the BJP's tenure in the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) council. However, funds earmarked for this major project were returned after the govt cancelled the proposal. The funds were diverted to the deputy commissioner's office building work, he said.No hoarding contracts to local agenciesMLA Kamath said that the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) stopped the contract to install hoardings in the city for local advertisement agencies. He said the contracts to put up hoardings within the city corporation limits were given to agencies from other states, forcing local advertisement agencies to approach the court seeking justice.A decision to install traffic umbrellas in the city was taken without informing local MLAs, the MCC, city police and RTO, said Kamath.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !